Lot 108: AN OTTOMAN MIQUELET-LOCK TUFEK RIFLE, TURKEY, 18TH - 19TH CENTURY

This Ottoman Moroccan miquelet-lock long gun, commonly referred to as a Moukhala, dates to the 19th century. The firearm features a long, slender steel barrel that is octagonal at the breech before transitioning to a round profile. The barrel is secured to the full-length wooden stock by three wide brass bands, or capucines, which are decorated with chased and engraved geometric and foliate patterns. The miquelet-style lock mechanism includes a prominent external mainspring and a heavy ring-neck cock. The wooden stock is constructed with a characteristic narrow, sharply curved butt and a wide, flat heel plate. Decoration on the stock consists of inlaid bone plaques in various shapes, including stars and teardrops, many of which feature dot-and-circle engravings. The wood is further embellished with numerous small brass tacks and decorative brass floral-shaped plaques.

L: 127cm